Panasonic GX7 vs G80

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 (labelled Panasonic G85 in some countries) are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively,
in August 2013 and September 2016. Both the GX7 and the G80 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are equipped with a Four Thirds sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 15.8 megapixels. Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their sensors, their features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison: Panasonic GX7 vs G80

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Panasonic GX7 and the Panasonic G80. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size,
the Panasonic G80 is notably larger (30 percent) than the Panasonic GX7. Moreover, the G80 is markedly heavier (26 percent) than the GX7. It is noteworthy in this context that the G80 is splash and dust-proof, while the GX7 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses
that both of these cameras require. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses.
You can compare the optics available in the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog. Mirrorless cameras, such as the two under consideration, have the additional advantage of having a short flange to focal plane distance, which makes it possible to mount many lenses from other systems onto the camera via adapters.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, just use the right or left
arrows in the table to switch to the respective camera. Alternatively, you can also navigate to the CAM-parator app and
make your selection from the full list of cameras there.

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The G80 was somewhat cheaper (by 10 percent) than the GX7 at launch, but both cameras fall into the same price category. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison: Panasonic GX7 vs G80

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature a Four Thirds sensor and have a format factor
(sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 2.0. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras
that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 15.8 megapixels.
This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the GX7 and the G80 have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the G80 is much more recent (by 3 years and 1 month) than the GX7, and its sensor
will have benefitted from technological advances during this time. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the G80 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 125 to ISO 25600
The corresponding ISO settings for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 are ISO 200 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-25600..

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

Camera Model

Sensor Class

Resolution (MP)

Horiz. Pixels

Vert. Pixels

Video Format

DXO Portrait

DXO Landscape

DXO Sports

DXO Overall

Camera Model

Panasonic GX7»

Four Thirds

15.8

4592

3448

1080/60p

22.6

12.2

718

70

Panasonic GX7

Panasonic G80«

Four Thirds

15.8

4592

3448

4K/30p

22.8

12.5

656

71

Panasonic G80

Olympus E-M5 II«»

Four Thirds

15.9

4608

3456

1080/60p

23.0

12.5

842

73

Olympus E-M5 II

Olympus E-M10«»

Four Thirds

15.9

4608

3456

1080/30p

22.8

12.3

884

72

Olympus E-M10

Olympus E-PL7«»

Four Thirds

15.9

4608

3456

1080/30p

22.7

12.4

873

72

Olympus E-PL7

Olympus E-M1«»

Four Thirds

15.9

4608

3456

1080/30p

23.0

12.7

757

73

Olympus E-M1

Olympus E-P5«»

Four Thirds

15.9

4608

3456

1080/30p

22.8

12.4

895

72

Olympus E-P5

Panasonic GX9«»

Four Thirds

20.2

5184

3888

4K/30p

-

-

-

-

Panasonic GX9

Panasonic GH5«»

Four Thirds

20.2

5184

3888

4K/60p

23.9

13.0

807

77

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G85«»

Four Thirds

15.8

4592

3448

4K/30p

22.8

12.5

656

71

Panasonic G85

Panasonic GX80«»

Four Thirds

15.8

4592

3448

4K/30p

22.9

12.6

662

71

Panasonic GX80

Panasonic GX85«»

Four Thirds

15.8

4592

3448

4K/30p

22.9

12.6

662

71

Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GX8«»

Four Thirds

20.2

5184

3888

4K/30p

23.5

12.6

806

75

Panasonic GX8

Panasonic GM5«»

Four Thirds

15.8

4592

3448

1080/60p

22.1

11.7

721

66

Panasonic GM5

Panasonic G6«»

Four Thirds

15.9

4608

3456

1080/60p

21.3

11.5

639

61

Panasonic G6

Panasonic GX1«»

Four Thirds

15.8

4592

3448

1080/60p

20.8

10.6

703

55

Panasonic GX1

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the G80 provides a better video resolution than the GX7. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the GX7 is limited to 1080/60p.

Feature comparison: Panasonic GX7 vs G80

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The two cameras under consideration are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder.
However, the one in the GX7 offers a higher resolution than the one in the G80 (2760k vs 2360k dots). The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Panasonic GX7, the Panasonic G80, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

Camera Model

Viewfinder (Type or '000 dots)

Control Panel (yes/no)

LCD Size (inch)

LCD Resolution ('000 dots)

LCD Attach- ment

Touch Screen (yes/no)

Shutter speed (1/sec)

Shutter flaps (1/sec)

Built-in Flash (yes/no)

Built-in Image Stab

Camera Model

Panasonic GX7»

2760

n

3.0

1040

tilting

Y

8000

5.0

Y

Y

Panasonic GX7

Panasonic G80«

2360

n

3.0

1040

swivel

Y

4000

9.0

Y

Y

Panasonic G80

Olympus E-M5 II«»

2360

n

3.0

1037

swivel

Y

8000

10.0

n

Y

Olympus E-M5 II

Olympus E-M10«»

1440

n

3.0

1037

tilting

Y

4000

8.0

Y

Y

Olympus E-M10

Olympus E-PL7«»

-

n

3.0

1037

tilting

Y

4000

8.0

n

Y

Olympus E-PL7

Olympus E-M1«»

2360

n

3.0

1037

tilting

Y

8000

10.0

n

Y

Olympus E-M1

Olympus E-P5«»

-

n

3.0

1037

tilting

Y

8000

9.0

Y

Y

Olympus E-P5

Panasonic GX9«»

2760

n

3.0

1240

tilting

Y

4000

9.0

Y

Y

Panasonic GX9

Panasonic GH5«»

3680

n

3.2

1620

swivel

Y

8000

12.0

n

Y

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G85«»

2360

n

3.0

1040

swivel

Y

4000

9.0

Y

Y

Panasonic G85

Panasonic GX80«»

2765

n

3.0

1040

tilting

Y

4000

8.0

Y

Y

Panasonic GX80

Panasonic GX85«»

2765

n

3.0

1040

tilting

Y

4000

8.0

Y

Y

Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GX8«»

2360

n

3.0

1040

swivel

Y

8000

10.0

n

Y

Panasonic GX8

Panasonic GM5«»

1166

n

3.0

921

fixed

Y

500

5.8

n

n

Panasonic GM5

Panasonic G6«»

1440

n

3.0

1036

swivel

Y

4000

7.0

Y

n

Panasonic G6

Panasonic GX1«»

-

n

3.0

460

fixed

Y

4000

4.2

Y

n

Panasonic GX1

The G80 has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by
vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the GX7 does not have a selfie-screen.

The reported shutter speed and shutter burst refer to the use of the mechanical shutter. In addition, both cameras feature
an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or
shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the GX7 and the G80 write their files to SDXC cards.

Connectivity comparison: Panasonic GX7 vs G80

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

Camera Model

Hotshoe Port

Internal Microphone

Internal Speaker

Microphone Port

Headphone Port

HDMI Port

USB Type

WiFi Support

NFC Support

Bluetooth Support

Camera Model

Panasonic GX7»

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

mini

2.0

Y

Y

-

Panasonic GX7

Panasonic G80«

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Panasonic G80

Olympus E-M5 II«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Olympus E-M5 II

Olympus E-M10«»

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Olympus E-M10

Olympus E-PL7«»

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Olympus E-PL7

Olympus E-M1«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Olympus E-M1

Olympus E-P5«»

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Olympus E-P5

Panasonic GX9«»

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

Y

Panasonic GX9

Panasonic GH5«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

Y

full

3.1

Y

-

Y

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G85«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Panasonic G85

Panasonic GX80«»

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Panasonic GX80

Panasonic GX85«»

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GX8«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

micro

2.0

Y

Y

-

Panasonic GX8

Panasonic GM5«»

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Panasonic GM5

Panasonic G6«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

mini

2.0

Y

Y

-

Panasonic G6

Panasonic GX1«»

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Panasonic GX1

It is notable that the G80 has a microphone port, which can help to improve the quality of audio recordings
by attaching an external microphone. The GX7 does not feature such a mic input.

The G80 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Panasonic.
In contrast, the GX7 has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the GX7 was succeeded by the Panasonic GX85.

Review summary: Panasonic GX7 vs G80

So what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Panasonic GX7 or the Panasonic G80 – has the upper hand? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7:

Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.

Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.

More modern: Reflects 3 years and 1 month of technical progress since the GX7 launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the G80 comes out slightly ahead of the GX7 (8 : 7 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision.

GX7 07:08 G80

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the GX7 or the G80 handle or perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews: Panasonic GX7 vs G80

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog). The full reviews are available by clicking on the site logo in the table header.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.